The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-04-15
A SENSATION In TEXAS.

Not sincs the days OF reconstruc-
ton has Texas enjoyed 80 startling a
sensation as that occas joned by the
declaration oil Senator Maxey and Sen.
ator.elect Reagan that they are in favor
q prohibition aud Of submitting the
prohibition amend nsnt to the consti-
tuition OF the State to the people. Sen.
ator Maxsy said, in response to Lieu.
tenant Governor Gibbs's letter OF in
vltstlon 10 him to attend convention
To condemn prohibition:
"Your letter places the proposed amend
ment In tho nature Of su N ptuary legislation.
do not SO regard il. The State Of Texas has
COMPLETE power over tho whole question M
granted TO the general government: The
polioo powers OF the State are wholly distinct
and apart from sumptuary legislation. As
tho people OF Texas have the lawful power In
stitution TO- adopt or re-enact the proposed
amendment. j propose, as Jetfersonian
Democrat TO abide by the rule that Mr.. JEFF
ferson laid down as cardinal principle OF
Democracy. to-wit; Absolute ,acquieSconoe
In the decisions Of the majority, tho vital
principle of republics. from which there is
no appeal but 10 force the vote, principle
and immediate parent Of despotism. The
Democratic party should not sutfer itself 10
DO dragged into this contr .versy. The only
real question involved in the proposed
amendment Ia, 'Is its adoption expedientr
On this tho wieest and purest men In the
State differ. The Democratic party as such
do with the question. As citizens lot every
man exercise his best judgment, and vote
accordingly. lpropose to exercise my right
as q oitiHen, and while do not have the con
Adenos which some have in tho efficiency OF
II, l will. In the interest OF good morals,
peAoo aud prosperity, resolve the doubt In
favor Of that side which, eoeka tho greateSi
good to tho greatest number, and vote for
the Rmsn dmont."
Senator-sleot Reagan was even
stronger and more clear in his state
ment Of his position on this vital
question. He wrote:
Ihavo all the yohrs Of my manhood been a
Democrat OF tho etraightest sect, aud an
earnest and en- husia,ti disciple of Thomal
| Jefferson, whom ! regard as the GREATEST
political philosopher and statesman THU
country has ever produced. And l would b,
as lar from desiring TO soc laws PASSED
VIII oh would Interfere with the freedom o
legitimate commerce, or which would unde
tako TO control the purchase, sale and use o
necessary food, drink or apparel q, any ont
could DO, But bolieve II to DO the duty o
tho people, in . lawful manner, to protec
themselves and society. against the oyils, o
tho Improper sale and use of intoxicatin
liquors. IL | have not always SO fel
II has been in great degree tocaus
L was unwilling to allow any 0utstfe issu
, TO snbvert or c'uso the overthrow 0
the Democratic party, whose principles
believe necessary to tho preservation of GU
free constitutional system of government
, We now have the opportunity TO .promot
sobrioty, thrift and happiness without on
T dAngo!ing the success and perpctuation G
the principles Of the Democratic party, an
;. am in favor of doing so; and shall at III
}, coming election so vote, not because l BIG
lieye prohibition tho most efficient romed
0 which could bo adopted for these evils, BE-
bScsSSo N ny judgment Il ia,Srs polio 20,
- the condition OF our condition pocuniarill
D socially and morally, and toward placin
A Thorn on higher and bottor plane OF civil
SAtion,
Nothing has bsen said for prohib
l. ton that will have greater weigh
g than these utterAuces OF the two leaC
= ing statesmen OF Texas, men who hav
Il the confidence OF the people Of thG
state and whose political records al
consistently Democratic. II the
are provoked by the indiscrset cha
lenges OF the opponents Of prohibltio
, casting doubts upon their Democrat
they may take the stump and NAL
;. what is nova doubtful contest an o
: tirely successful one.